Weishan Ancient City ​-the birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom

Located around 70 kilometers south of Dali Old Town, Weishan Ancient City was originally built as a village in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and formed as a city in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The layout of the ancient city is not changed till nowadays. It is a Chinese character of “井”. The Ming and Qing (1644 - 1912) Dynasty style is well-preserved in the city.

Weishan Ancient City ​Fast Facts

Chinese Name: Weishan Gucheng (巍山古城)

Area: 3 x square kilometers

Things to do th​ere:Photography, Architecture, History of Nanzhao Kingdom

What to expect at Weishan Ancient City

Weishan Ancient City offers 25 streets and 18 lanes to explore. It is home to Han, Yi, Hui, Miao, Bai and Lisu people for hundreds of years. Thus, you will experience different cultures there.

Menghua Old House (Menghua Laojia, 蒙化老家) is the best-preserved old house in the city. The furnishings are still the ones in ancient times. Originally built between 1871 and 1908, it is a combination of Han style and Bai style. You will find a screen wall in Bai style in the house. The original layout of all the old objects will take you back into time. In Ms. Liang’s House (梁大小姐宅院), you will see old articles for daily use and get acquainted with the development of the local life through the exhibitions on display.

Weibao Mountain is one of the 14 famous Taoist mountains in China. There are 24 Taoist temples built in the Qing Dynasty. You could explore exquisite murals, stone inscriptions, sculptures and horizontal inscribed boards in these temples. You will find hollow-out relief of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea on the door of the main hall and the hollow-out dragon pattern on the caisson ceiling in the main hall. If interested, you could invite the Taoist priests to interpret the Taoist history and culture under the condition that you could speak Chinese. The Confucian Temple, Guangdi Temple, Sun Temple and God of Wealth Temple all offers fine decorations, such as exquisitely carved windows and great colorful paintings, etc. All the old buildings are typical of the Ming and Qing style.

Standing at the heart of the city, Xinggong Building is an arcade. It was originally built in 1390. Gongchen Building built between 1368 and 1398 and Xinggong Building are the landmarks of Weishan Ancient City.

Local elders sell local in-season vegetables and living ducks and chickens in the local market. Many of them are more than 65 years old. The wet noodles hung in front of the gate of a noodles shop make a unique view in the city. You may encounter locals with their own donkey walking in the street. Locals just enjoy themselves without paying much attention to tourists.

If you would like to experience more about local culture, it is recommended that you explore the city on the lunar 25th of June when the Torch Festival is always celebrated. That evening, you will see Dage dancing of the Yi people, admire the ceremony of worshiping the sacred fire and join in locals to enjoy yourself at the bonfire party.

Best time to visit Weishan Ancient City

You could visit Weishan Ancient City from the morning on.

The best months to visit are from April to October.

How to get to Weishan Ancient City

You could take a direct bus at Xiaguang (下关) in Dali Old Town to Weishan or just rent a vehicle to Weishan Ancient City directly.

Additional Weishan Ancient City Travel Advice

Opening hours: 24 hours

As at 22nd February 2019, the entrance pricing to the city is free of charge.

As at 22nd February 2019, the entrance pricing to Menghua Old House is 10 CNY per person. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)

Please wear the sunscreen scream and sunglasses

Location

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Interested in visiting Weishan Ancient City on a Tour?

Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Weishan Ancient City, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.